Leonard Ellerbe to boxing, MMA purists: Don't buy Mayweather-McGregor if you hate it

LAS VEGAS – The boxing showdown between Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is expected to potentially break the record for all-time pay-per-view buys, a mark set by Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at roughly 4.6 million for their much-anticipated 2015 showdown.

Of course, this isn’t possible without heightened interest from “the casual fan.” But what about the longtime, hardcore fans of both boxing and MMA who see this event as nothing more than a circus – a money grab?

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“We appreciate all the fans,” Ellerbe said during Thursday’s open workout. “We don’t ever want to turn our back on anyone. But, again, the hardcore fans are the reason why our sport isn’t where football and basketball are. It’s because we stay in our own little box. It’s like, you tell me what’s wrong with these two guys fighting? If you don’t want to watch it, don’t buy it – simple as that.”

McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and Mayweather (49-0 boxing) face off on Aug. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a pay-per-view event expected to be the most lucrative prize fight of all time.

Ellerbe was intent Thursday on doing his part to ensure that becomes a reality, calling out media members who have publicly bad-mouthed the event and making it clear that it’s only happening because fans – casual or otherwise – asked for it.

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“You can’t be mad,” Ellerbe said, “and going out there like some media members and promoting, ‘Oh, this is why you shouldn’t buy the fight and this and that.’ Mind your (expletive) business. …

“One thing is for sure: You’re not going to stop this event. The fans demanded this event, and this is what they’re going to get. We didn’t ask for it. We didn’t ask for this. Social media was on fire because of these two guy going at it.”